AZULENES OF LEAF SURFACE AS A PROTECTIVE OPTICAL FILTER

Abstract

Reactions to ozone of surface cells of leaves with blue or silver color in plant species: meadow-rue Thalictrum minus L., oleaster Elaeagnus L., white willow Salix alba L., buckthorn Hippophae rhamnoides L., creeping clover Trifolium repens L, red clover Trifolium pretense L., ryegrass pasture Lolium perenne Engels were studied. They had no noticeable spectral changes. It has shown that the surface layers of the cuticle and the cell wall of these plants contained azulenes. In the leaf absorption spectra, the maxima characteristic of these blue pigments of 580-585 nm and 608-610 nm, respectively, were noted, and in the fluorescence spectra – 410 or 430 nm. It has assumed that these pigments may be the primary targets for ozone in species with blue or silvery leaf color, and their antioxidant properties determine low sensitivity to ozone. In this case, the blue pigments serve as a protective optical filter against ultraviolet radiation and ozone formed with its participation.